Michigan lawmaker stripped of committee assignments after making violent threats to ‘Trumpers’

DETROIT, MI- On Wednesday, Republican lawmakers
in Michigan have responded after a Facebook post went viral this
week showing a Democratic lawmaker from Detroit threatening
“Trumpers.”

Cynthia Johnson was stripped of her committee assignments after
the video gained national attention.

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Johnson sat on a committee which heard allegations of voter
fraud from the Trump campaign last week, led by Trump’s personal
attorney Rudy Giuliani.

Johnson, who was condescending and rude to those testifying at
the hearing as well as to Trump’s legal team alleged, she had
been receiving multiple threats since the hearing, including one
she claimed threatened that she “should be lynched.â€

On Tuesday, Johnson took to Facebook and made a threatening
video, in which she issued a warning to

“…you Trumpers. Be careful. Walk lightly. We ain’t
playing with you. Enough of the shenanigans. Enough is enough. And
for those of you who are soldiers, you know how to do it. Do it
right. Be in order. Make them pay.â€

 

CBS Detroit reported that House Speaker Lee Chatfield and
Speaker-elect Jason Wentworth noted that they were exploring
further disciplinary action against Johnson, a first-term
legislator.

“Threats to either Democrats or Republicans are
unacceptable and un-American. They’re even more unbecoming of an
elected official,†they said in a joint statement, while saying
that violence and intimidation is never appropriate in
politics.

“That applies to threats made toward public officials,
and it must also apply when the threats come from public officials.
Behavior like this will not be tolerated this term or
next.â€

 

Threats to Democrats or
Republicans are unacceptable and un-American. They’re even more
unbecoming of an elected official. Rep. CA Johnson has been
stripped of her committees and we’re looking into further
disciplinary action as the proper authorities conduct their
investigation. pic.twitter.com/Y5lTqqmEVI

— Lee Chatfield (@LeeChatfield)
December 9, 2020

American Military News reported that in his tweet, Chatfield
also included the following statement:

“Speaker of the House Lee Chatfield and Speaker-elect Jason
Wentworth today released the following statement on the video
released last night by Rep. Cynthia Johnson on social media:

‘Threats to Democrats or Republicans are unacceptable and
un-American. They’re even more unbecoming of an elected official.
Rep. CA Johnson has been stripped of her committees and we’re
looking into further disciplinary action as the proper authorities
conduct their investigation.

“We have been consistent in our position on this—violence
and intimidation is never appropriate in politics. We have said
that about threats against Gov. Whitmer, Secretary Benson, Rep.
Johnson herself, and others. That applies to threats made toward
public officials and it must also apply when the threats come from
public officials. Behavior like this will not be tolerated this
term or next.â€

According to MLive, Michigan Republican Party Chairman Laura Cox
accused Johnson of inciting violence, while noting that it was
“distressing†to hear threats made against Johnson. She said,
however that Johnson had “sunk to the same level as the unhinged
individuals who threatened her.â€

“I am incredibly disturbed by Representative Cynthia
Johnson’s deranged Facebook rant,†Cox said in a statement.
“It is reprehensible that an elected official would call on her
‘soldiers’ to make the supporters of an opposing party
‘pay,’ and clearly such a statement could incite people to
violence.â€

Meanwhile, the House Democratic Leader Christine Greig called
Chatfield’s decision to boot Johnson from her committee
assignments “partisan theatre.â€

She also downplayed (of course) allegations of election
fraud.

“The perpetuation of meritless and disingenuous claims
of election fraud—without the production of any evidence weeks
after the general election—continues to fuel an increasingly
dangerous and destructive political environment that needlessly
removes focus on addressing the significant challenges of the
pandemic as it continues to claim the lives and livelihoods of
Michiganders across our state and throughout the political
spectrum,†Greig said in a statement.

Earlier on in the viral video, Johnson addressed the alleged
threats made against her in recent days.

“Don’t get upset with folks and start cussing them
out and all that. It never works. I wish I could be talking to you
all in a private room because, uh, I just wish I could. But we’re
public so be smart.â€

Johnson apparently didn’t take her own advice, or she was
under the impression that Facebook is a “private room.â€

Johnson shared a message she had recently received on voicemail
with her colleagues. In response, Rep. Mary Whiteford wrote in
response:

“I don’t understand why you would share this with me
and other representatives Cynthia. By the way, I am shocked that
you had that poor woman spell out her name during the hearing You
put her life at risk!

“That is the most heartless action I have ever
witnessed, using your position of power to shame someone who was in
a very vulnerable position. I’m praying for you to have
compassion for those that you disagree with. Sincerely,
Mary.â€

 

That Facebook post was in response to Johnson for asking a
witness to spell out her name during the election hearing.

The Detroit Free Press noted that all speakers at public
meetings are considered to be public records under the Michigan
Open Meetings Act, and clerks often record people’s names for the
public record.

According to Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel, her office
had received more than 80 phone calls.

“The threats Rep. Johnson has received are appalling, ugly and
deeply disturbing, but her response to those messages is also
unacceptable and I strongly condemn both. My office has received a
number of calls and emails from residents about these incidents,â€
said Nessel.

“I must remind people that if they have been
threatened or if they fear for their safety, the appropriate thing
to do is to call your local police department or 9111, if it’s an
emergency so that law enforcement officers can
respond.

“As Michiganders, and as Americans, we cannot allow
hateful rhetoric form a few individuals to drag the masses down
into a spiral of unjust actions. It is never acceptable for
anyone—especially a public servant—to incite violence or
threaten others with harm.

When vigilantes assume justice is theirs to serve, our
democracy suffers. It’s time for us to move forward together as a
state instead of engaging in—or celebrating—actions of hate and
divisiveness.â€

—

 

 

 

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Michigan lawmaker stripped of committee assignments after making
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